Here’s the latest 4MR audio report from MediaShift. In this week’s edition, I talk about how the New York Times launches hyper-local sites right as Google’s Tim Armstrong launches Patch.com hyper-local sites — both in New Jersey. Plus, Hearst says it will develop a new e-reader device like a Kindle, but with a larger, flexible screen, likely coming from E-Ink, in which Hearst is an investor. Also covered is the recent battle between cross-media platform Boxee and Hulu, with Hulu dropping its content deal and Boxee coming up with a work-around. Check it out:
Background music is “What the World Needs” by the The Ukelele Hipster Kings via PodSafe Music Network
Here are some links to related sites and stories mentioned in the podcast:
NY Times’ Fort Greene, NJ Local site
New hyperlocal battleground: New Jersey
Cosmo Publisher Plans an E-Reader of Its Own
You Can’t Keep ‘Em Down: Boxee Brings Hulu Back at ReadWriteWeb
Diet Bloggers Deal in Brutal Honesty in Quest for Weight Loss at MediaShift
Here’s a graphical view of last week’s MediaShift survey results:
Hyper local search is really big news. AOL’s acquisition for going and patch I think is positioning them to dominate the local search space. Not sure what the other big players have in store, but the competition in the local marketplace will be fierce.